Worth Following

Contributors

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John 13: 4 so he (Jesus) got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

I enjoy attending leadership conferences as much as much as I find pleasure in reading leadership books. My favorite authors are Bill Hybels, Jim Collins, John Maxwell and Jack Welch. I am always amazed of the knowledge they possess and how their impact worldwide impact. We all follow someone – because of what they mean to them and because of the deposits they have made into their lives.

 Great leaders are hard to come across these days. Maxwell defines leadership as “influence”. Jim Collins on the other hand describes leadership in the “level 5 leader”.

Level 1 –  Highly capable individual who possesses the talents and skills to do the job.

Level 2 –  Contributing team member who works effectively, productively and

                successfully with other people.

Level 3 – Competent manager that is able to organize a group effectively to achieve

               specific goals and objectives.

Level 4 – Effective leader is the category that most top leaders fall into. Here, you’re

               able to galvanize a department or organization to meet performance objectives

               and achieve a vision.

According to Collins many leaders make it all the way up to the fourth level and that in itself is commendable,             however, very few perhaps only a handful of CEOs in the U.S. make it to the last level…

 Level 5 –Great Leader. At this level you have all of the abilities needed for the other four levels, plus you have the unique blend of humility and will that’s required for true greatness.

Did you say HUMILITY? Yes indeed. Humility.

 Growing up I watched my dad every morning put on his three-piece suit and get ready for work. He was a man of importance, a leader who many others followed and desired to emulate simply because of what he stood for. He was not a tyrannic domineering leader…no, he was a leader who led by example. He was the kind of man who would take off his jacket, roll up his sleeves and get dirty in order to help someone in need.  He possessed a peculiar ability to lead, possessed somewhat of a charm and glowing charisma like no one else I knew. I consider my father a leader among leaders, a man’s man.

 Born in a very small town in Mexico in 1942, he was not raised in a privileged home nor did he live an easy life. He was not blessed with an opportunity of higher education however he managed, in his early thirties, to become the V.P. and Director of Operations of a very lucrative U.S. corporation. He was admired by many especially me. He was a man of his word. There was never a promise he made that he did not keep. He exemplified integrity, loyalty and the key for level 5 leadership — humility.

 I spent my teenage years listening and learning from him. Every conversation was an opportunity to learn something valuable, something I could put in my pocket and pull out later in life. I kept a journal with his teachings, sayings, philosophies and principles. He taught me life principles.  He would tell me to always be the best at whatever I did no matter what that be. “Be punctual, speak up, give a firm hand shake, don’t look down, look people in the eye, stand-up straight and smile”. “Be sure to learn a little bit of everything so that you can relate to the factory worker, the brick layer, the teacher, preacher and physician”. Responsibility was on of his favorite words and he lived it. He’s been a responsible son, husband, father grandfather, mentor and friend.

 My father’s words of encouragement empowered me to become the man I am today. His never-give-up attitude has molded and shaped my perspective on life. His care for my mother has set an expectation on what marriage should look like. And his love for his children and grandchildren has set a high standard for me as a father of two boys (David – 21 years old and Daniel 5 months). My father’s life has never been shady nor questionable…he practices what he preaches.

 In the summer of 2001, my father would impact my life exponentially like never before. It was at 59 years of age that my father would humble himself and surrender his life to Jesus Christ to make Him Lord and Savior of his life.  I was there the day he and my mother prayed that prayer as they both held hands. This was the year that my dad went from being a great man to becoming a great man of God. It has been over 12 years and he has never been the same. He now encourages me everyday with scripture and prays for me.

My dad’s life has made it easier for me to love, trust and believe in a Heavenly Father that I cannot perceive with my five physical senses. I am thankful to God for the man he gave me to be my dad.

 My father’s life has led us closer to the greatest of all leaders…Jesus Christ.

 Jesus surpasses level 5 leadership. Maxwell’s definitions cannot encompass the vastness of His greatness. It is Jesus that leads us to the Father. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life and no one goes to the Father except through me” – John 14:6

 Jesus is worthy to be followed.

 As a father of two, I have two pairs of eyes watch as I walk, talk and lead. I have the ability to lead them closer to God or obliterate Him from their lives. I have been called by God to be the priest of my household and to lead as Christ did. Although not an easy task, I will always declare the words penned by the Apostle Paul in Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who give me strength”. In Him I find strength, wisdom, favor and grace to lead my children and those He has placed under my leadership. But my children and wife come first.

 Phillips, Craig and Dean sing a beautiful song about a dad wanting to be a Christ-like example to his child. I am strongly convicted every time I listen to the chorus…

 “Lord, I want to be just like You

‘Cause he wants to be just like me

I want to be a holy example

For his innocent eyes to see

Help me be a living Bible, Lord

That my little boy can read

I want to be just like You

‘Cause he wants to be like me”

 My question to all the men reading this article…

 Has your life as a dad impacted the lives of your children in such a way that they have come to know Christ through you???

 If you answered yes – I applaud you and assure you that in due time you will see the fruit of your labor.

 If you answered no – I remind you that God’s grace is sufficient and that today could be your turning point. Rise up and follow Christ and He will make all things new.